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Thursday, 29 August 2013

Yipee! We made it with a welcoming party of Sarah and Andrew's children and friends to meet us and turn it into a celebration.
We then started to cycle back - but only 7 miles to The Castle Hotel, our b+b for tonight.
Tomorrow, wait for it ... we are taking our bikes over to The Orkneys- a bit like Forrest Gump, we can't stop!
Thanks to everyone who has been following our blog.
64 mls travelled, 13.53 ave. 42 mph max. Final 1200.84 miles.

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Penultimate Day!
The day started with the most delicious porridge we have ever had - you could have enjoyed it as a pudding. Off on our way to Durness on the north coast with some drizzle but spirits still bright.
In Durness we caught up with Sarah and Andrew's children who were staying at Durness Hostel.
We then found the most delicious Chocolatier which served hot chocs to die for- although the drinks made us hyper!
Time to head for today's destination of Tongue, passing sea lochs and climbing to take in the most magnificent views of mountain ridges.
A final drop down to Tongue which took your breath away. I sang ' Oh Lord my God' on our descent- full volume!
Today is our 38 th wedding anniversary and we are all celebrating in style at The Tongue Hotel. One word - amazing! Clothes have made their way from Leyland thanks to Barbara and Tim to allow us to be posh. Champagne was waiting for us, thanks to Susan, our daughter in law. What a day!
48 Miles travelled.

Monday, 26 August 2013

A beautiful morning as we left The Old Surgery, Ullapool , calling at Tesco for picnic food - couldn't be sure of food stops along the way.
Today was lots of climbing hills, second only to Ardnamurchan in the overall total of height climbed in a day- with some exciting down hills! We crossed the Kylesku Bridge- built in 1984. Until then it was a ferry crossing. The scenery became more dramatic, almost lunar landscape.
Our stay for tonight is The Old School House at Kinlochbervie - what a find!
Distance 58 mls. Ave 12.5 mph. Max 42 mph. Total travelled 1088 mls.

Sunday, 25 August 2013

A sunny start from Gairloch with the promise of good weather for the day. A quick call in on Jill and Rick, friends who run sea wildlife and glass bottom boat trips from Gairloch harbour.
On our way round Loch Ewe, we met our friend, Eric Malcolm from Aberdeen, who stayed at our house a few years ago as he cycled LeJog. He was on his way home from Ullapool and came to say hello. Great to see you Eric.
On our way now with long climbs which gave us spectacular views of the mountains, prompting a verse or two of 'All things bright and beautiful' as we cycled along - David just puts up with it!
We arrived in Ullapool this evening to the sight of a Hebridean ferry arriving. A super day. 58 miles, 12.5 mph ave, 45 mph max,1030 miles total.

Saturday, 24 August 2013

Lochs and Glens Day
We left Loch Carron in fine drizzle and climbed into mist this morning but the forecast was to improve. David reckons today's cycle ride of 51 miles is one of the top rides in Britain in his opinion -and I agree!
We cycled along Upper Loch Torridon and then through Glen Torridon, a dream of a place for anyone interested in geology - me!
Called in at Kinlochewe for eats before cycling to Gairloch. First call was to see Jill and Rick, extended family who operate sea trips to see the wildlife. Not seen in 7 years - great to catch up with them.
54miles, average 12.5 mph, max 43 mph
Total distace - 917 miles.

Friday, 23 August 2013

Today has been a gastro day (as well as cycling!)
Thanks to Fiona at The Seaview, Mallaig for a first class breakfast with everything you could imagine on the buffet table as well as a full Scottish.
Off to the ferry with Sarah demonstrating girl power and taking charge of their stead. We sang 'Over the sea to Skye' including a descant in the chorus. We thought we were good but David said" Will someone put that pig out of its misery!" How rude!
Over the Skye Bridge- difficult to photograph! On to Plockton- a delightful village and the next part of our Gastro Tour. I had Potato cake with avocado, squat lobsters and creme fraiche- see photo.
Onwards to Loch Carron with some steep climbs, including a 1 in 7, and some fast downs. Eek!
Mileage today 50 miles, average 12.3 mph, max 50.34 mphTotal mileage 917miles

Wow! Today has taken us through the most amazing scenery while also taking us over many hills which are a slog up and exhilerating down! After crossing from Mull to the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the mainland, we added an extra 12 miles to visit the most westerly point on British mainland.
Then off to Mallaig- another 52 miles. The photos do not do full justice to the beauty and magnificence of western Scotland.

Saying goodbye to our b+b host Isobel, we headed off in the mist and rain to cycle to Oban for the ferry to Mull. The weather improved and we had a great ride from leaving the ferry to Tobermorey. 52 miles today - perhaps we should have kept cycling round the ferry to up the mileage!

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

A five mile cycle down to Ardrossan after breakfast and then over on the ferry to Arran. We cycled then to the north of Arran to catch our next ferry to Kintire. Catching a ferry is always exciting.
Off the ferry and onwards to Kilmartin for b+b. Going well until puncture on back tyre downhill at 30+ mph! The men sprang into action to mend it and we were teady for off when the 4.00 pm rain started bang on time.
We cycled along the Crinin Canal, calling in a pub for our 5.00pm beer, a routine that has sprung up along the way!
A delicious meal at the Kilmartin Hotel before collapsing into bed at Rosebank B+B.
63 miles today ( with hills and rain) 742 mls so far.